Weekend Weather Spotlight: 7-17-20

A favorable pattern for severe weather will be in place through the weekend across the northern Plains and Midwest. Very unstable air masses are expected to develop or stay in place across these regions today and Saturday aiding in widespread severe weather beginning in ND this afternoon and ending in the eastern Great Lakes by Monday morning. Robust storm development is anticipated in northwestern and north-central ND this afternoon and will grow as it propagates eastward and developing into a bowing convective system into northern MN tonight. Initially, a few tornadoes will be possible in ND, then a transition to a mainly damaging wind threat through eastern ND and northern and central MN before weakening by Saturday morning in northern WI and the UP of MI. A similar scenario is forecasted on Saturday evening with development beginning in northern and central MN, making it to the eastern part of the UP of MI and northeast WI by Sunday morning, possibly holding some strength through lower MI early Sunday, and then heading into western NY, northeast OH, and northwest PA Sunday evening and overnight before weakening. Widespread wind damage will be possible with all this activity, especially in eastern ND, and northern and central MN.